Recovery After Ovarian Cancer Surgery
- The average total recovery time for ovarian cancer patients after surgery is six weeks
- Patients may feel sore and fatigued during the first two weeks after surgery
- Patients are typically self sufficient after the first two weeks, and are encouraged to be active to decrease the risk of pneumonia and blood clots
Dr. Kellie Schneider, a gynecologic oncologist at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, spoke to SurvivorNet about the recovery process for patients after ovarian cancer surgery. Luckily, patients can expect an easy postoperative process and will not be bed ridden. In fact, activity after surgery actually helps patients’ recovery.
Read MoreBenefits Of Exercise After Ovarian Cancer Surgery
As Dr. Schneider said, physical activity can be extremely beneficial for ovarian cancer patients during their postoperative recovery. However, patients are not expected to hit the gym immediately. Instead, doctors have told SurvivorNet that patients can ease into physical activity by doing breathing exercises and walking around the house and outside.
“Exercise improves your circulation, wound healing, and fluid around your body” Dr. Angela Wicker-Ramos, an oncology physical therapist for Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine, told SurvivorNet in a separate interview. “So you’re likely to heal quicker and heal better. Also, it helps soften any scar tissue that may be in the area. So exercise such as deep breathing or extending in the chest or extending your arms can help soften that scar tissue that usually can lead to tightness.”
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